HALL OF
FAME

THE TEACHING AND PREACHING OF THE SCOTS
WORTHIES."It may cast new light on the character of these men of
God to select from a few of them a sample of what they preached and taught. It
is common to pick out from their discourses passages in which the preacher says
strong things in reference to times and circumstances, but let it not be
forgotten that these are incidental, and do not convey a fair impression of the
real style of their preaching. They preached "Christ crucified" and they
preached his cross and his crown wherever they went."(From "Scots Worthies"
edited by Andrew A.
Bonar)Many of the Covenanters were imprisoned on Bass Rock -
see it here.

Andrew Gray (1634 - 1656) was born and
lived in the glorious era of the Puritans. He died, of "Purple Fever" after
just two years of ministering the Word to his people in the High Outer Kirk, of
Glasgow. Read his life, his works and his praises - by many eminent people,
like Robert Traill.

William Guthrie (1620 - 1665)
ministered in the remote village of Fenwick, South-West of Glasgow. He is
famous for "Christian's Great Interest" which John Owen carried
everywhere.

Thomas Chalmers (1780 - 1847) was a
giant in his day, consorting with Kings, Princes and Statesmen, but retaining
great humility and love for his people, whom he constantly sought to bring to
salvation.

Andrew
Gray - Perth (1805 - 1861) He was energetic in the things he
believed in, and these included abolishing patronage in the Church of Scotland.
Read about it, and some of his sermons.

Robert Smith Candlish (1806 - 1873) was a
gigantic intellect and an enormously popular preacher. Second only to Chalmers
as a statesman, he exceeded, some said, in his grasp of Theology.

"Scotland's most popular preacher" he was, but also invented "Ragged Schools" and started a Savings Bank for the
poor. Read his Autobiography, here.

Andrew A.Bonar (1810-1892) biographer
of Robert Murray M'Cheyne, and brother of Horatio, the hymn-writer was a
saintly and energetic minister who preached until he died and wrote much.

This great "Apostle of the
Covenant" ministered at Irvine with great power for nearly 50 years. He has
left us several commentaries and a few sermons - and a example of commitment -
It is said 200 were converted at one service! (Wylie)

Alexander Whyte (1836-1921) carried
on the great tradition of the above - in fact was Assistant to Dr. Candlish in
Edinburgh when the latter was getting frail.

Thomas Boston (1676-1732) famous for
his "Crook in the Lot" and a library of "works" has also written an
autobiography.

Robert Murray M'Cheyne
(1813-1843) became famous through his saintly and pious life, even though cut
short at 29. His life, and works can be seen here.

Born at Sanquhar, in
Dumfries, he was, in the beginning of the year 1802, licensed to preach the
gospel by the presbytery of Kelso. Removed to Edinburgh, he rapidly became
famous and influential at St George's, becoming a major force in the
"Disruption" movement.

ANDREW THOMSON (BROUGHTON)Born at Sanquhar,
in Dumfries, 11 February 1814, the son of John Thomson, shopkeeper and later
farmer, and Elizabeth McCall. He became known as "the younger Thomson", of
Broughton Place Free Presbyterian Church, Edinburgh, and famed for a number of
useful books.

HORATIUS BONAR
(1808-1889)http://members.aol.com/OrthodoxUM/BonarHome.htmlwas
the brother of Andrew, Minister at Kelso, in the Borders of Scotland, and wrote
many excellent hymns and other writings. Read some here.

GEORGE
GILLESPIE (1613-1648)A remarkable who achieved much in his
few years, including being a member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, on
which he sat with great distinction. See his biography - his "Presbyterian
Armoury" to come.

HUGH BINNING
(1627-1653)Another remarkable man who died young - at 26. He has
left many works, and many of these are still available to purchase. He was
notorious, in his day, for preaching in understandable English, not Latin-ish
or broad 'Scotch' but vernacular English. (The image, left, is from his
"works")

JAMES DURHAM
(1622-1658) Born of noble family, left university before
graduating, but a remarkable conversion under Ephraim Melville got him studying
under David Dickson, ordained to Blackfriars in Glasgow. He was 36 at
death.

ANDREW
MELVILLE(1545-1622)Seen as the successor to John Knox, this
remarkable man defied Bishops, Princes and Kings in defence of the Presbyterian
Faith. (The image, left, is the Melville Monument in Edinburgh)

JOHN KNOX(1505-1572)This man carried out the Scottish Reformation, almost
single-handed, and rescued Scotland from Popery in the teeth of determined
opposition from Queen Mary and all the might of Rome.

SAMUEL
RUTHERFORD (1600 - 1661)Best-known for his pastorship at
Anwoth and his "Letters", he is also know for his intolerance of what ran
counter to his firm convictions! See the photos of Anwoth, here, if you do
nothing else.

ROBERT TRAILL
(1642-1716) Born in Elie, college in Edinburgh where he
distinguished himself. Famous for his devoted, and risky, attendance on the
martyr James Guthrie when he was on the scaffold. Also spent time on
Bass Rock.

RALPH
ERSKINE (1685-1752). "Perhaps lacked some of the impressiveness
of his brother, Ebenezer, yet gentler, more ideal, more mystical than his
brother, fond of music and proficient on the violin." In 1711 he was appointed
as Minister of the Second Charge at the famous Dunfermline Abbey, later being
promoted to First Charge. (1716)

EBENEZER
ERSKINE(1680-1754). Founder of the Secession Church in
Scotland. Son of a minister ejected in 1662 for nonconformity, he graduated at
Edinburgh University in 1697, and in 1703 was ordained to Portmoak, where for
twenty-eight years he ministered faithfully and controversially!

JOHN (RABBI) DUNCAN (1796 -
1870)An Eminent Scholar and Metaphysician, A Profound
Theologian, Known for his intense interest in the Jews.A man of tender
piety and of a lowly loving spirit. (from his memorial stone). Buried in
Edinburgh.

ROBERT HALDANE (1764-1842)Born 28th
February 1764 in Queen Anne Street, Cavendish Square, London, he was the eldest
brother of James Alexander Haldane. Like his brother he was brought up under
the care of his grandmother, Lady Lundie, and the two boys attended school in
Dundee and the high school of Edinburgh together. After spending a very short
time at Edinburgh University, early in 1780 he joined H.M.S. Monarch as
midshipman . . See Biography for the rest.

JOHN WELSH of
AYR (1568 - 1622) Born of an ancient and well-to-do family in
Dumfriesshire about the year 1568. His early life gave to his family little
prospect of his future greatness as a minister of Christ and son-in-law to Knox
himself. He was a riotous youth who frequently played truant at school and,
later, joined himself to a gang of border thieves .. He became something of a
prophet - read about it.

HENRY DUNCAN
(1774 - 1846)This very energetic minister founded the world's
first Savings Bank, discovered and restored the Ruthwell Cross, found some
fossils ensuring national fame, and was minister to his flock at Ruthwell.

JAMES FRASER OF
BREA (1639-1698) Parish Minister of Culross, Bass Rock,
Blackness, and New Gate Prisoner and Author of "The Book of the Intricacies
of my Heart and Life" (See Bass Rock, here)

GEORGE
WISHART (1513-1546) A powerful Protestant preacher,
confidant and mentor of John Knox. Preaching the Protestant Reform in 1546 he
was betrayed to Cardinal David Beaton and imprisoned in the bottle dungeon at
the Castle in St. Andrews. Subsequently tried for heresy, and burnt at the
stake outside the Castle.

ALEXANDER HENDERSON (1583-1646) His cause, honourable in
the sight of God, was much despised by men high in place. He strongly resisted
ecclesiastical oppression, and earnestly contended for the faith once delivered
unto the saints. He was highly esteemed by all ranks of the people,

JOHN LIVINGSTONE
(1603-1672)He was familiar with French, Italian and Dutch, and
read the Bible in Spanish and German. In the noble army of book-lovers our
Covenanter stands well to the front.

JAMES STALKER
(1846-1929) Born in Crieff, Scotland he attended university at New
College, Edinburgh, becoming pastor at St. Brycedale, Kirkcaldy. Author of many
works, including Imagio Christi, he became Professor of Church History at New
College, adding Christian Ethics later.

Sir Robert Anderson
Irish, of Scottish descent, and a Presbyterian Lay Reader, he
joined the Bar, was head-hunted to the Secret Service to "mole" the IRA
(Fenians in those days) and became Head of London's Scotland Yard, responsible
for nailing "Jack the Ripper". He wrote 17 books on Biblical Criticism and
related subjects, being forthright and direct in his attack, and invariably
good at "providing the evidence".

THIS LAST CATEGORY consists of
many of the noted and significant ministers about whom I have gathered a little
information, but not enough for a separate site. Many, however, were mighty men
of old! Click on flag for a menu of what's on offer. DON'T MISS THIS - it could
be what you were looking for....